DE10255571B4 - Stimulation stimulator for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome - Google Patents

Abstract

A flow stimulator for treating irritable bowel syndrome, comprises a flexible carrier mat (10) with circular electrodes (1-7) and an electronic control unit which activates the electrodes one after the other. The electrodes are matched to the bowel length and a heater element (11) is located in the electrode free zone.

Description

The The invention relates to a stimulation current stimulator for treatment irritable bowel syndrome according to the preamble of claim 1.

The Irritable bowel syndrome busy for a long time the medicine. This is a so-called functional disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Typical for a Irritable bowel syndrome is when the symptoms are prolonged the relaxation, z. B. on vacation, and improve in times when the person is exposed to strong stress is worse. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include pain, changes in bowel movements, namely Constipation or diarrhea and bloated abdomen and also mucus.

The Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is via a drug therapy, by changing the diet and / or through self-help, with self-help including forms of therapy counting, that affect the psyche, d. H. Psychotherapy, hypnosis, autogenous Training, breathing exercises, functional relaxation as well as progressive muscle relaxations.

Around a special movement activity of the intestine are colon massages, respiratory exercises and Belly presses known.

From the DE 37 37 250 A1 a gut massager has become known in which an unbalance vibrator is used, which achieves the greatest possible amplitude by adjusting the speed and the imbalance weight. As a result, a vibration effect is to be achieved, which is allegedly known from the vibration conveyor technology.

at predetermined and not variable vibration intensity should be for the Target organ specifically shaped vibration head by mechanical irritation intestinal innervation the natural Stimulate intestinal peristalsis, resulting in an irritant effect the self-applying individual pressure on the intestine in the direction of the natural Transport path of the intestinal contents added desirable.

The Device is formed in dumbbell shape and has a body to be applied to the vibration head, which contains a vibration motor, and one opposite Holding head, which serves as a battery storage for manual guidance.

One such "vibrator" has become but Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome not proven.

today It is known, predictable and targeted as well as in performance and time controlled by means of stimulation current stimulators via skin electrodes one or several nerves to trigger from action potentials to a reaction to his organ of success to force. The stimulus release, d. H. the generation of a neural action potential by opening the Sodium ion channels of the nerve membrane takes place by a negative voltage pulse, since by the generated Current flow-load displacement a depolarization of the resting membrane potential is generated.

To the Use today in a muscle stimulation (ie at a Irritation with the goal of a contraction of a specific muscle monodirectional (direct currents) and bidirectional (alternating currents)) pulse currents with a steep Increase in short pulse times (T less than a millisecond) and Frequencies of about 1-60 Hz. In general, today come to muscle stimulation, in particular in the cosmetic field, especially small portable stimulators that work with bi-directional asymmetric pulses.

A device for stimulating the abdominal muscles is used in the US 2002/0058972 A1 described. In this case, at least three electrodes are arranged on a support and are intended to stimulate the abdominal muscles, wherein a central electrode is provided, wherein two further electrodes are respectively arranged on opposite sides of this central electrode, so that by applying a pulsed signal through the central electrode and the two Side electrodes that are affected abdominal muscles of the person to be treated.

In contrast, is from the DE 38 13 838 A1 an electromedical treatment device has become known with a power source and a treatment part, in which the individual electrodes are arranged like a checkerboard. The fields can have both round and angular circumferential lines. By such an arrangement, for example, a helical flow sequence to be generated, whereby z. B. the intestinal course following this special, previously brought about by constant circular movements of the treatment electrodes darmanregenden effects can be achieved.

at In the treatment, a patient lies on a base electrode, the can consist of several individual electrodes. Opposite the treatment electrode is arranged, both types of electrodes are connected by appropriate lines.

The invention has for its object vorzuschla a patient to be worn belt gene, which is equipped with electrodes that are designed specifically for use for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, with a specific form of the device is proposed for this specific use.

These The problem underlying the invention is achieved by the teaching of Claim 1 solved.

advantageous Embodiments are explained in the subclaims.

With in other words a stimulation current stimulator is proposed in which on a flexible carrier mat Electrodes are arranged substantially circular, wherein the carrier mat carries an electronic control, the individual electrodes successively briefly in action puts.

Preferably the arrangement of the electrodes is such that it is almost natural Adapted intestinal position are arranged.

According to one Another essential feature of the invention is additionally an Heating element provided in the upper area of the electrodes occupied circle is provided and thus essentially located in the area of the plexus Gastrici or Plerus Solaris. This Heating element can be used as heat storage be formed, for example, a stone-like heat transfer can but are electrically operated in the same way or by a Gel are formed, before the commissioning of the overall arrangement is heated.

Around the carrier mat and thus adapt the effectiveness of the electrodes to different body sizes to be able to is according to one further feature of the invention that the electrode assembly in their width is einrichtbar. This refers in particular to the widthwise extension of the electrodes from each other, d. H. for example the carrier mat be divided in the middle, after opening this division, for example a zipper, to be pulled apart, so as to make the sizing can.

The actual carrier mat is equipped with holding means. These retaining means can from ribbons exist or in a particularly advantageous manner from a bracket, such as he at x-ray aprons or household Aprons is known, so that a simple clamping of the stimulator on the body of the patient is possible.

The Pulse times of the electrodes are adjustable, as well as the pulse strength and Furthermore, a controller is provided which allows several successive electrode passages are adjustable.

at a preferred embodiment seven electrodes provided. The electrodes are different trained and have oval or elliptical shape. The single ones Electrodes are controlled one after the other, with the first electrode oval or elliptical and relatively large is followed by a smaller oval elliptical electrode becomes. These two electrodes are followed by two substantially adjacent ones smaller oval electrodes lying on a chord. In the control process Follows on these electrodes, a larger electrode whose longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of lying on both preceding electrodes. To close the circle, follow two smaller electrodes, with the last electrode located in the rectal region, is very small.

The first electrode does not start in the middle, but according to the bowel position already on the ascending arc of the formed theoretical Circle.

The successive control of the electrodes is carried out such that the at Patients below lying right in the area of the caecum right electrode is first put into operation, then after a short time and shutdown this electrode the next Ascending electrode, etc. until the resting on the patient lower left electrode is reached.

This Operation is referred to as a passage and after a rest a second and further passes can be made.

each Electrode is activated for about 4 to 8 seconds and the pause between the individual passes, if several passes are provided is about 5-20 Seconds.

By the stimulation stimulation according to the invention there is a support intestinal activity, as an important side effect at the same time strengthening the Abdominal wall is reached, this abdominal strengthening itself also has a positive effect on the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, therefore not of cosmetic significance in the present case.

One embodiment The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows in

1 a plan view of the support mat of the stimulation current stimulator and in

2 the bottom of the mat that comes into contact with the patient.

In the drawings is with 10 a support mat of appropriate material referred to, in the electrodes 1 to 7 are arranged. This carrier mat 10 is determined by fastening means, not shown in the drawing on the human body so that the underlying side, ie the side according to 2 comes in contact with the human body. As fasteners tapes or preferably offer a strap, as it is known in X-ray aprons.

To the carrier mat 10 to adapt to the different human sizes, is via a connecting device 12 For example, a zipper or Velcro, the mat 10 expandable, so that so that in the illustrated embodiment, the width of the mat 10 is adjustable.

In the drawings are the different electrodes with the numbers 1 to 7 Mistake. These electrodes are arranged almost circular and even have an oval or elliptical shape, wherein the longitudinal axis of this oval or ellipse is adapted to the course of the intestine portion to be influenced.

In the drawings, the electrical connection lines and the electronic control are not shown for clarity, but a switch 14 with which the intensity of the electrodes can be adjusted by the patient.

Additionally lies in the upper area of the mat 10 a heating device 11 , which can be operated electrically or can also be formed as a gel that can be heated by microwave heating or it can be used a storage body, such as a stone, which is heated accordingly.

The electrodes are in their order 1 to 7 operated sequentially, wherein after a passage of current through the electrodes 1 to 7 a short pause can be turned on and then again the electrode sequence is operated again.

The electrode 1 is the largest, elongated electrode in the plan view from the outside according to 1 on the belt or the mat 10 from a slightly smaller elongate electrode 2 followed. The electrodes 3 and 4 are again smaller than the electrode 2 and lie on the chord of the theoretical circle. To the electrode 4 the electrode closes 5 in turn, which is directed elongated downwards. The turn slightly smaller electrode 6 joins on the arc and is from an electrode 7 followed, which lies in the area of the rectum.

When using the stimulation current stimulator according to the invention, the electrodes come 1 to 7 according to 2 with the top of the abdominal wall in contact, preferably with the interposition of a gel or a liquid, in order to ensure a good power transmission.

Each individual electrode is driven for about 4 to 8 seconds, ie successively the electrodes 1 to 7 4 to 8 seconds each. After a pass, there will be a pause, which can be about 5 to 20 seconds, and then a new round will take place.

On the control unit shown in the drawing 14 Both the intensity of the electrodes as well as possibly the duration of the effectiveness of the electrodes is adjustable and can be set individually by the patient.

Claims (7)

Stimulation stimulator for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with on a flexible support mat ( 10 ) following the natural intestinal line electrodes ( 1 - 7 ) with an electronic control for activating the electrodes in a sequential order, characterized in that each electrode ( 1 - 7 ) Is set in action for 4-8 seconds and the electrodes ( 1 - 7 ) are elliptical and on the support mat ( 10 ) are arranged in a circle with their long axis, wherein the upper region of the circle is located in the region of the plexus Gastrici and the lower region of the circle in the rectal region and the driving of the individual electrodes successively in the area of the cecum lying, seen from the left front Electrode ( 1 ) and at the electrode located in the rectal region ( 7 ) and a heating element ( 11 ) in the electrode-free region of the electrode ( 1 - 7 ) occupied circle is provided. Stimulation current stimulator according to Claim 1, characterized in that two large elliptical electrodes (3) are inserted successively, starting in the region of the cecum. 1 . 2 ), then two small elliptical electrodes ( 3 . 4 ), to which a larger electrode ( 5 ), to which a smaller elliptical electrode ( 6 ), the final electrode ( 7 ) in the rectal region is small and almost round. Stimulation stimulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support mat ( 19 ) is equipped with holding means. Stimulation stimulator according to claim 3, characterized that as Holding means a bracket is used. Stimulation stimulator according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a plurality successive electrode passes at a time interval from 5-20 Sec are adjustable. Stimulation stimulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulse times of the electrodes ( 1 - 7 ) are adjustable. Stimulating current stimulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulse strength of the electrodes ( 1 - 7 ) is adjustable.